The Omega Speedmaster is Queen of the chronograph segment, just under the iconic Daytona and right above literally any other sports inspired chronograph on the market. It’s been to the moon, and it’s graced the wrists of some of the most prominent figures in history. This is a watch that’s near aesthetic perfection, and it carries with it one of the most dedicated cult-like following of collectors in the industry.
Due to the popularity and value of this watch it has also attracted the attention of unwanted counterfeiters who have dedicated substantial resources to making fake versions of our beloved Speedmaster Moonwatch and many of the other popular variations. I’ve put together this Q&A guide for you, to allow you to authenticate a Speedmaster if you’re attempting to source one from the grey market or if you simply would like to differentiate between the real version and a fake for casual reasons.
Obvious Giveaways
Often times a fake or counterfeited Omega Speedmaster is extremely easy to tell just from handling it in person, or even from viewing a clear image of the watch. If you’ve ever handled the real deal you would have noticed the initial heft of the watch, the gorgeous polished and brushed finish on the case, and the immaculate proportions and fonts used on the dial. Conveniently enough for us as collectors, these detailed and precise watchmaking aspects are the most difficult parts of the watch to fake, this is where you’re going to be able to tell very quickly if the Speedmaster you’re handling is fake or not.
On a fake Speedmaster the polishing will not be as perfect, perhaps it won’t be as even with some blotchy sections. The font’s on the dial will be bigger or smaller, or not as sharp, or sometimes they’ll be a completely different style of font all together. Even things like the chronograph pushers and crown on the side of the watch can be of a different size. These are the obvious giveaways you should be looking for, and if you notice anything off on this initial visual inspection you can be almost 100% certain that you’re dealing with a fake Speedmaster.
Technical Differentiators
Things can get significantly more complicated if you’ve attempting to authenticate a “Super-Clone”, or Frankenstein style of fake Speedmaster. These are counterfeit watches that have implemented high-tech manufacturing processes to mimic the amazing quality of a real Speedmaster. In the case of a Frankenstein watch the counterfeiters may have even used a mix of authentic parts with fake parts, these are the most difficult ones to authenticate.
If you find yourself looking at a Speedmaster that passes the obvious giveaways but you’re still suspicious, it’s best to take your time and proceed cautiously and look under the hood of the watch. This is the point where inspecting the movement and some of the implemented official security features is recommended. Often times, removing the caseback of the watch to check the movement is the safest way to proceed, but if you don’t have the tools or skill to do so it’s best to bring it to a qualified watchmaker or even to an Omega Boutique. The watchmaker will not only be able to open the watch for you, but he will also know what exactly to look for within the mechanical movement to ensure it’s authenticity.
Similarly to modern Rolex, Omega has also implemented the use of a lazer etched logo around the 6’oclock position on the crystal of some of their watches. You can check this yourself with the use of a jewellers loop or magnifying glass, it’s quite tiny and hidden and will be difficult to spot if there. Another thing to look out for is the serial number, which is engraved on every Speedmaster, and this number can be cross checked with Omega’s database.
Conclusion
We’ve now gone over the most important features to check the authenticity of an Omega Speedmaster. These are techniques you can use yourself, or by bringing the watch to a qualified watchmaker. By far the safest way to authenticate a Speedmaster is to bring it to an authorized dealer or a very reputable grey market reseller that you trust for a full inspection.
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